Pickpocketing happens a lot in busy tourist areas. Even if you’re careful, a skilled thief can still slip your phone out of your pocket before you even notice. And losing your phone while traveling can quickly turn a great trip into a stressful mess.
But if you have an iPhone, there’s a simple setting that can greatly improve your chances of getting it back.
Before your next vacation, it’s worth taking a minute to turn on this little-known feature. Here’s the trick — and a quick guide to setting it up.
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The One iPhone Setting That Pickpockets Hate
If you’ve ever lost your phone — whether it slipped between couch cushions or was stolen while traveling — you probably know about Apple’s Find My app. It’s one of the most helpful tools for tracking down a missing iPhone.
But there’s one big problem most people don’t realize.
For Find My to work, your phone needs to stay connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network. And experienced pickpockets know this. One of the first things they often do after stealing a phone is switch on Airplane Mode, which instantly disconnects the phone from all networks.
You might assume your lock screen would stop that. Unfortunately, it doesn’t.
By default, anyone can still open the Control Center on an iPhone just by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen — even if the phone is locked. That means a thief doesn’t need your passcode or Face ID. With one quick swipe and tap, they can turn on Airplane Mode and make your phone much harder to track.
The good news? There’s a simple setting that can stop this.
Open your Settings app and scroll down to Face ID & Passcode. Tap it and enter your passcode. Then scroll until you see a section called “Allow Access When Locked.”
In that section, you’ll notice that Control Center is turned on by default. Just switch it off.
Once you do this, your iPhone will no longer allow someone to open the Control Center while the phone is locked. You’ll still be able to access it normally after unlocking your phone with Face ID or your passcode. But if someone else tries to swipe down from the lock screen, they won’t be able to do anything.
That means a thief can’t turn on Airplane Mode to cut off your phone’s connection.
They might still run off with the device, but the phone will stay connected — giving you a much better chance of tracking it with Find My and possibly getting it back before it disappears for good.
What About Android Phones?
If you use an Android phone, you can also track a missing device using Google’s Find My Device app. It works a lot like Apple’s Find My feature and can help you locate your phone if it gets lost or stolen.
However, Android phones have one limitation. Unlike iPhones, there isn’t a simple setting that completely blocks access to the control center from the lock screen. That means someone could potentially swipe down and turn on things like Airplane Mode, which disconnects the phone from the network and makes it harder to track.
That said, there are still a few smart steps you can take to make things more difficult for thieves.
One helpful trick is removing the Airplane Mode button from your control center. To do that, swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open the full control panel. In the top right corner, you’ll usually see three small dots or a pencil icon. Tap that, and you’ll see an option that lets you edit the buttons that appear in your control center.
From there, you can simply drag the Airplane Mode icon out of the main panel and move it into the “available buttons” section. Once you save the changes, Airplane Mode won’t be accessible with a quick swipe anymore. Someone would have to dig much deeper into the phone’s settings to turn it on—which most thieves won’t bother doing.
Android has also introduced several newer anti-theft features that help protect your personal information.
One of these is called Offline Device Lock. If your phone stays disconnected from the internet for too long, the device will automatically lock itself. This won’t necessarily help you recover the phone, but it can stop someone from accessing sensitive information like your banking apps, emails, or travel details.
Another useful feature is Theft Detection Lock. This tool uses your phone’s motion sensors to detect suspicious movement—like someone suddenly grabbing your phone and running. If it detects that kind of unusual activity, it can automatically lock the device to protect your data.
These features won’t make your phone impossible to steal, but they can make it much harder for someone to use it—and give you a little more peace of mind if your phone ever goes missing.
Other Tips for Recovering a Lost Phone
If you realize your phone is missing, acting quickly can make a big difference. Besides using your phone’s tracking features, there are a few other simple things you can do right away.
Start by calling your phone from a friend or family member’s device. If your ringer is on, you might hear it nearby. This works especially well in places like restaurants, stores, or even a crowded subway where your phone may have just slipped out of your pocket.
If you’re using an iPhone, open the Find My app. Android users can use Find My Device. Both tools let you do more than just track the phone’s location. You can remotely lock the device, display a message on the screen, change passwords, or even erase your data if you’re worried someone might access sensitive information.
It’s also important to contact your cell phone provider as soon as possible. Let them know the phone has been stolen or lost. They can block the device and prevent anyone from making calls, sending texts, or racking up charges on your account.
Finally, consider filing a report with the local police. If you have location information from the tracking app, share it with them along with the last place you remember having your phone. It may not always lead to recovery, but it gives authorities a chance to help if the device turns up.
Losing a phone can feel overwhelming, but taking these steps quickly can protect your information—and sometimes even help you get the phone back.
Physical Ways to Help Prevent Phone Theft
Along with using your phone’s security settings, a few simple habits can go a long way in protecting your device.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is putting their phone in their back pocket. It might feel convenient, but it also makes it incredibly easy for a pickpocket to grab it without you noticing. Instead, keep your phone in your front pocket, where you’re more likely to feel if someone tries to take it.
An even safer option is using an anti-theft bag that sits across your chest. Many of these bags come with locking zippers and hidden compartments, which makes it much harder for someone to quickly reach in and grab your phone.
Some travelers are also starting to use phone lanyards that attach to their wrist or bag. If you plan on taking lots of photos during your trip, this can be especially helpful. Even if someone tries to snatch your phone, the tether keeps it physically connected to you.
None of these tricks are complicated—but together, they can make you a much harder target for pickpockets. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to keep your phone safe while you travel.